Chess with the Orioles and painting with Joseph among this year’s auction items

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — It happens all the time in the Orioles’ clubhouse.

Players and staff slumped over a board, contemplating and trash-talking during a serious game of chess.

Yes, chess.

Manny Machado, Jonathan Schoop, Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman and the guru of all games, coach Wayne Kirby, were among the more active chess players last year.

And, for a day, another name will be added to that list: An Orioles’ fan that’s the highest bidder for a good cause.

Major League Baseball announced its annual winter meetings charity auction Monday with proceeds this year going toward the Katharine “Katy” Feeney Memorial Scholarship Fund, which will support an annual scholarship for a female at the University of San Francisco in honor of the pioneering MLB executive who died last spring.

Every year, MLB offers some pretty unusual opportunities for highest bidders of this auction. The Orioles have three interesting items on the list:

Chess with the Orioles: A fan and a guest will play chess against select Orioles (based on availability) prior to a 2018 game. The winner will also receive a parking pass, two batting practice field passes, and two tickets for that day’s game. The winner has the option of redeeming the experience at Camden Yards or in Sarasota, Fla. at Ed Smith Stadium during this year’s spring training season.

Painting with Caleb Joseph: A fan and a guest will paint with Orioles catcher/artist Caleb Joseph at Camden Yards prior to a game. The winner will also receive a parking pass, two batting practice field passes, and two tickets for that day’s game. All supplies will be provided. The winner can choose to redeem the award in Sarasota as well this spring.

Behind-the-Scenes Experience: A group of four fans will receive an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at Camden Yards,, which may include watching manager Buck Showalter’s pregame press conference, watching batting practice from the field, visiting the press box, the MASN television booth, the Orioles Radio Network booth, the MASN television production truck, the Orioles scoreboard production room, and watching an inning of the game with Executive Vice President Dan Duquette in his suite. Also included in the package will be a parking pass and four tickets to that day’s game.

For all three items, travel expenses are not included and dates will be mutually agreed upon.

You can see a description of all auction items and begin to bid on them starting today  and running through Thursday at 10 p.m. at http://www.mlb.com/wintermeetingsauction